Praça da República is more park than square. There are numerous little walking paths winding through a thick overhang of trees in which bright green parrots screech, chatter, and chirp. There are benches to sit on, several small lagoons, a fountain, and a bandstand.

Between the Praça da República and the Praça da Sé lies the city's newest and most interesting square, the Parque Anhangabaú. Running an eight-lane freeway over the top of the Anhangabaú River that once flowed through Centro was probably not one of São Paulo's better planning moves, but the city recently made amends by covering a 1km (1/2-mile) stretch of the freeway with this beautifully landscaped urban plaza. In the daytime it's occupied by pedestrians, sun-tanners, lunch-break idlers, and clusters of folks listening to street musicians.

Built in 1965, the 42-story Edifíçio Itália (tel. 011/3257-6566), located at Av. Ipiranga 344 near Praça da República, features a 41st-floor restaurant, the Terraço Itália, which offers a great vantage point from which to view the city. Cover is R$10 (US$4.20), and it imposes an R$15 (US$6.25) drink minimum.

Working Hours: Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Explore São Paulo

  ·Along Avenida Paulista
  ·Around São Paulo
  ·Bixiga
  ·Butantã and Morumbi
  ·Jardins
  ·Liberdade
  ·North of Praça da Sé
  ·Parque do Estado
  ·Parque do Ibirapuera
  ·Praça da República and around
  ·Praça da Sé